Sunflower-seed oil, rapidly-degradable starch, and adiposity up-regulate leptin gene expression in lactating goats

We conducted experiments to evaluate the effects of lipid supplementation and the nature of starchy concentrate on the regulation of leptin synthesis in lactating goats. Multiparous goats in mid- to late lactation received diets based on different forages and containing plant oil or seeds rich in either 18:1c9, 18:2n-6 or 18:3n-3 corresponding to 3%–7% dry matter (DM) as lipid supplements, or diets based on concentrate as either rapidly or slowly degradable starch. The isoenergetic replacement of a part of the concentrate by either oleic sunflower-seed oil, formaldehyde-treated linseeds, or linseed oil did not modify leptinemia and the leptin mRNA concentration in adipose tissues, suggesting a lack of effect of 18:1c9, 18:3n-3, or their biohydrogenation products. Conversely, leptinemia and the leptin mRNA abundance were increased (by 20% and 140%, respectively, P < 0.05) in goats fed sunflower-seed oil under a grassland hay-based diet but not a maize silage-based diet, at similar energy intakes and adiposity. Thus, 18:2n-6 per se may up-regulate leptin gene expression, but the effect could be blunted by other fatty acids formed during the ruminal digestion of sunflower-seed oil when combined with maize silage. Consumption of rapidly but not slowly degradable starch increased (by 17%, P < 0.05) leptinemia. Moreover, during lactation, plasma leptin was positively correlated (P < 0.05) to adiposity parameters and negatively correlated to fiber intake. The results suggest that leptinemia responds poorly to nutritional factors in lactating goats, thus highlighting the physiological need to sustain hypoleptinemia during lactation.